Building a Brand

R1 doc to examine Russell's rise

The programme, which will go out as part of Colin Murray's Show, will chart Brand’s rise from his first open mic spot to national fame.

Brand himself will ask if it takes a certain personality to do stand-up comedy – ‘to live a lonely life on the road for the sake of a few laughs’.

A BBC spokesman added: ‘The programme also takes a look at those on the lower rungs – the open mic performers who take on one of the bravest professions in the world in the hopes of stardom. More often than not, they fail and have to get back on their feet and try it again.’